Things to do · Rome
Colosseum tickets: how to choose the right one
You are queuing on Via dei Fori Imperiali while the sun is still low. The stone is cold and the first guides are raising their umbrellas. Within an hour it will be packed. Anyone with a timed ticket walks straight past.
In short: Colosseum tickets
A standard ticket gets you the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. For most people that is enough. To stand on the arena floor or see the tunnels below, where animals and gladiators waited, choose a tour or ticket that includes it. Book ahead, especially from April to October.
How to choose the right Colosseum ticket
First time in Rome: a guided tour with the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. You get the story, and the guide takes you through the three sites in the right order.
Been before: a tour that takes you onto the arena floor. That is where the scale sinks in.
With children: a shorter tour. The Palatine is green and pleasant to walk, but the Forum soon becomes a lot of stone for small legs.
Two ways to see the Colosseum
Both can be cancelled. Choose by how much time you have and what you want to see.
Picolo recommends
Guided tour with the Forum and Palatine
First time in Rome
- About 3 hours
- Free cancellation
Price varies by dateSee today’s price at Expedia
See dates and pricesGladiator's Gate and the arena floor
Been before
- About 1.5 hours
- Free cancellation
Price varies by dateSee today’s price at Expedia
See dates and prices
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Worth knowing
Getting there
Metro line B to Colosseo. From the Centro Storico it is about a 30-minute walk.
ID
Colosseum tickets are named. Bring your passport or ID card.
Security
Large bags and glass bottles may be stopped. Bring an empty water bottle, there are drinking fountains on site.
Time
Allow an hour in the Colosseum and two more for the Forum and Palatine.
Best time
The first slot of the morning, or late afternoon when the light turns warm.
How Picolo chooses
Our editors pick every hotel and experience themselves, and most of them we have tried. Nobody can pay to be included or ranked higher. When you book through our links, Picolo earns a small commission. It never changes the price you pay, and it never decides what we write.
Stay near the Colosseum
Monti
Palazzo Manfredi
- Colosseum views
- Roof terrace
A small luxury hotel in a 17th-century palazzo directly opposite the Colosseum. Breakfast comes with a view of the arches, and in the evening you see the amphitheatre lit up from the roof terrace.
Best for: For the view
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More things to do in Rome
Colosseum tickets: FAQ
Does the Colosseum ticket include the Roman Forum?
Yes, the standard ticket covers the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. You get a fixed time for the Colosseum, and can visit the Forum and Palatine the same day. Evening and arena tours often have their own rules on which areas are included.
Do I need to book Colosseum tickets in advance?
Yes, you should. Tickets are sold in time slots and often sell out in high season. From April to October the early morning slots can go weeks ahead. Winter is easier, but book a few days ahead anyway.
Can I go down to the arena floor?
Yes, but only with a ticket or tour that includes the arena floor. The same goes for the tunnels underneath. A standard ticket gives you the stands and the view from above.
How long do I need at the Colosseum?
Allow an hour inside the Colosseum. With the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill it becomes half a day. Bring water and good shoes, there is little shade.
Where should I stay to be near the Colosseum?
Monti is the neighbourhood just north of the Colosseum, full of small restaurants and wine bars. Palazzo Manfredi sits right opposite the amphitheatre. From the Centro Storico it is about a 30-minute walk.
Updated 5 Nov 2026All articles